Total Laws: 282 laws inscribed on a diorite stela.
Format: Laws are presented in an "if/then" structure, guiding judges on case disposition.
Key legal principles found in the code:
Equality
Impartiality
Consistency in law
Damages
Retribution
Family Law
Organized systematically:
Rules for divorce.
Property rights (who gets what).
Complexity increases based on circumstances:
No children
With children
Evolution of law shows adaptation to complex social situations.
Contract Law
Similar evolution as family law, adapting simple prescriptions to fit complex situations.
Historical Context
Elements of the Hammurabi Code may date back 800-900 years prior to Hammurabi.
Comparison with the Old Testament (Book of Deuteronomy):
Similar laws (e.g., retribution: "an eye for an eye").
Influence of Mesopotamian laws on Jewish law.
Inspiration for subsequent law codes in Christendom and early American colonies.
Political Implications
Lack of a political constitution in the Hammurabi Code.
King’s responsibility primarily to the gods.
Hammurabi's law code binds future kings, warns of curses for non-enforcement.
Reading Recommendation
Suggested to read the Hammurabi Law Code for understanding the foundational principles of law, though some penalties may seem harsh (e.g., common use of death penalty).
Reflects on many crimes relevant even in contemporary times.